Stephen Colbert is making big changes for his debut as the new host of “The Late Show”. One, he’s shaved off his beard and two, he’s announced Jazz musician Jon Batiste as the new in-house bandleader.
While Colbert is taking over from David Letterman, Batiste is replacing veteran Letterman bandleader Paul Shaffer who held the role for more than 30 years.
The 28-year old New Orleans musician has been performing since he was eight, and counts Prince and Lenny Kravitz among his most-notable collaborators.
Batiste will be bringing his current band called Stay Human with him, which includes the whole jazz band kit-and-kaboodle plus a tubist.
Colbert is particularly exited about having the jazz-player on board. “His music makes the audience feel so good, we may have to install a ‘Do Not Make Love’ sign,” said Colbert (as reported by Billboard).
There’s going to be a lot of loving in the studio with Batiste adding, “This is a match made in heaven. Get ready for a love riot in late night.”
Batiste’s talents don’t stop at music. He’s also an actor having scored parts in HBO’s series “Treme” and Spike Lee film Red Hot Summer.
Acting ability, plus the aforementioned love-making inducing music should make him the perfect musical-partner-in-crime for Colbert.
The first airing of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” will be on 8th September in the US.
